I remember the first time I saw this barn-it was I think around 2007 when I was out surveying in Currituck County. I kept meaning to go back and get pictures, but just never got around to that part of the county. This last trip, I made a point of driving over there and I was excited to see that the building–and its message–although a little worse for wear, was still standing.

Image taken with iPhone 5s and processed with Snapseed and Distressed Fx

An excellent post from David Pasillas about the ongoing problem of image theft-I remember reading a blog post many months ago from a professional photographer who basically stated that it is a losing battle to protect one’s images-one would have to monitor most everyday searching for their work online, in addition to having work copyrighted-clearly copyrights, watermarks and so forth are not the silver bullet many believe them to be-

I think I always knew this was going to happen. In fact, I caught someone a few years ago that had stolen one of my iphone photos and was distributing it to people that wanted to create composites. I wasn’t too upset about that because it wasn’t a great photo, and it probably wouldn’t have been used for anything since it was heavily edited. At any rate, a simple cease and desist worked.

This recent discovery is much more upsetting. It’s a bit of a rabbit hole that myself and other artists have been delving into the last few days. At first it looked like another poster website selling photographs that didn’t belong to them. A bit of research has lead us to believe its much worse.

I actually found some of your work on their site too. I’ll mention the names in a minute, but I honestly don’t want…

A row of Currituck skiffs, waiting for repair–they actually have been there for a while and so I do not know if put in the water if they would be very sea-worthy. But I love these boats–their shape, the way they work the water, and the heritage they hold.

Image taken with iPhone 5s and processed with Snapseed, Formulas and Pic-Tap-Go

Well, six weeks turned more into eight, I know. I think I am just in one of those places where inspiration is elusive now and I am struggling with my photography. But I also know that sometimes you just have to go out and take pictures anyway. I will be posting somewhat erratically through the remaining months of summer; hopefully by the fall I will be back on a more regular posting schedule.

I did manage a very quick trip out to the Sound-the image below was taken at sunset. Such a quiet place; and it never disappoints in my finding new ways of looking at some of my favorite spots.

Image taken with iPhone 5s and processed with Snapseed, Formulas, Stackables, Tangled Fx and Glaze

I am glad that the 12th arrived along with this challenge; I have not been doing much photography the last few weeks. This pushed me to get out and start looking around at my world. And I am glad and grateful for that, as I feel like the switch has been turned on again-if only for a bit.

And yes, I will be returning, but it may be July or so before I begin to post regularly. I want to go into a new direction with both blogs, but just am not sure yet what that is going to look like. But in the meantime here are:

Five Things I Learned Today

1) For a sweet treat, SunDrop Pound Cake (Sun Drop is a soda for the uninitiated) cannot be beat, especially if it is from Pinky’s!

2) Hubble has pronounced the backyard blackberries delicious, as evidenced by his paws and tongue.

3) My favorite quote of the week: “A good snapshot stopped a moment from running away.” Eudora Welty, who gave up photography to concentrate on writing. If you have never seen any of her photographs, check them out here.

4) All the swans in England are the property of the Queen.

5) The Netherlands is the only nation with a national dog–the Keeshond (Hubble is already campaigning to be recognized as THE Dog of the House-much to Jack Henry’s chagrin.)